Continued hot temperatures have prompted Yellowstone National Park to implement fishing restrictions on many of the park’s rivers and creeks. These fishing restrictions replace the fishing advisory issued by the park earlier this month.

These hot temperatures, combined with the effects of drought, have resulted in stream flows well below normal for this time of year. These low water flows, coupled with unusually high air temperatures, have resulted in high afternoon water temperatures. For example, the water temperature on the Firehole River near West Yellowstone has topped 80 degrees for several days. The water temperature in the Gibbon River at Madison Junction and in Soda Butte Creek near the Lamar Ranger Station has been as high as 78 degrees. Water temperatures this high can be stressful and even fatal for trout.

Effective Saturday afternoon, July 21, the following rivers and creeks within the park will be closed to fishing between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.:

These waters will remain open to fishing between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Angler cooperation with these fishing restrictions will protect the park fisheries and may preclude the need for additional fishing restrictions and closures.

The extended forecast calls for continued hot and dry conditions with a slight chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms. These conditions contribute to continued low stream flows and high water temperatures.